“Deals on Wheels” Car Loan Project

“Deals on Wheels!”
Car Loan Project
Brief Project Overview:
In this project students will learn about budgets, car purchasing, and using credit. They will
calculate monthly car payments including tax and license fees, vehicle trade-in and down
payments. While this lesson is intended to educate the consumer, and thus all students, there
are many career opportunities related to the field of finances. Perhaps this will get students
thinking about one.
Appropriate Subjects and Grade Levels
For high school students in the following classes:
• Economics
• Accounting
• Business Concepts
• Business Law
• Business Math
• Financial Records
Length of Project
One 55-minute class period; Handout #3 could be continued as homework assignment
• Optional— one additional 55-minute class period for job description & role-play assignment
• Optional— one additional 55-minute class period for guest speaker, job description & role play
NOTE: The length of this project is an estimated minimum time need for completion that may easily
be expanded upon. The length of time will naturally increase as the project is expanded upon by the
teacher as it is adapted to meet classroom and curriculum goals.
Teacher’s Materials Provided
• Deals on Wheels Lesson Plan
• Outcomes/Products Assessments and Standards Matrix – identifies lesson outcomes, standards
addressed, and ways to measure learning; brief descriptions of corresponding student activities
• Calculating Amount to Be Financed/Borrowed— may be used as a blank overhead to demonstrate
completion of student worksheet
• Calculating Amount to Be Financed/Borrowed Sample Teacher Overhead—overhead master with
sample calculation already filled in
• Calculating Amount of Monthly Payment, Total Finance Charge and Total Cost of Loan— may be
used as a blank overhead to demonstrate completion of student worksheet
• Calculating Amount of Monthly Payment, Total Finance Charge and Total Cost of Loan Answer
Key
• Budget & Pie Chart Rubric – clarify Budget & Pie Chart assignment requirements and assessment
criteria
1 of 20 “Deals on Wheels” Car Loan Project - Revised 09/14/2004
Finance and Business Industry Sector Grant – Sierra College

• Budget Essay Rubric— clarify Budget Essay assignment requirements and assessment criteria
• Optional additional activity materials listed below
Student Materials Provided
• Calculating Amount to Be Financed/Borrowed Student Copy—worksheet for calculating car loan
amounts
• Calculating Amount of Monthly Payment, Total Finance Charge and Total Cost of Loan—
worksheet for calculating monthly car payments
• Creating a Budget—assignment instructions
• Budget and Pie Chart Rubric— clarify Budget & Pie Chart assignment requirements
• Budget Essay Rubric— clarify Budget Essay assignment requirements
• Optional follow-up activity materials listed below
Classroom Facilities Needed
• Computer/printer for students
• Internet access
• Word, Excel, Publisher (optional)
• Overhead projector
Student Supplies Needed
• Calculators
• Floppy disk
Teacher’s Preparation Checklist
• Review Outcomes/Products and Assessments Matrix, Lesson Plan, student materials and
perhaps the recommended background materials
• Practice following the student’s exercise directions
• Make one copy of each handout per student:
o Calculating Amount to be Financed/Borrowed Student Copy
o Calculating Amount of Monthly Payment, Total Finance Charge and Total Cost of Loan
o Creating a Budget
o Budget and Pie Chart Rubric
o Budget Essay Rubric
• Gather calculators and floppy disks
Recommended Background Materials
• No-Brainers on Buying a New Car (1998) video
• The Insiders Guide to Buying a New or Used Car book by Burke Leon, Stephanie Leon
• Car Secrets Revealed book by Corey Rudl
2 of 20 “Deals on Wheels” Car Loan Project - Revised 09/14/2004
Finance and Business Industry Sector Grant – Sierra College

Optional: Follow-up Activities
• Financing Practice Problems Student Copy, Financing Practice Problems Answer Key
• Loan Agent Interview
• Create a Job Description from the interview results, Job Description for a Career in Finance Rubric
• Role play the process of obtaining a loan depicting current interest rates, what rates students
could qualify for, and how a person could qualify for the lowest rate possible (using information
obtained from the interview)
• Invite a guest speaker from a car dealership’s finance department
“Deals on Wheels” Car Loan Project
Written and Edited by:
Beth Islip
Susan Espana
Kay Fegette
Jeanne Sampson
Mike Walker
Sierra Community College developed and produced the Business Industry Sector Grant for Finance
and Business. Funding provided by the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of
1998 through the California Department of Education.
For more information please visit: FAB.SierraCollege.edu
3 of 20 “Deals on Wheels” Car Loan Project - Revised 09/14/2004
Finance and Business Industry Sector Grant – Sierra College

Outcomes/Products, Assessments and Standards Matrix
“Deals on Wheels!” Car Loan Project
Learning
Outcome/Products
Calculate amount to
be financed/borrowed
after tax and license
fees, vehicle trade-in
and down payment.
Calculate monthly car
payment, total
finance charge and
total cost of loan
using various rates of
interest and length of
loan using a
calculator and Web
Site Loan Calculator.
Design a personal
budget that shows
monthly income and
fixed and flexible
expenses, as well as
totals for each
section. Create a pie
chart to illustrate the
Assessment
• Complete Calculating Amount to Be
Financed/Borrowed worksheet.
• Optional: Complete Financing Practice Problems
worksheet.
Mastery will be determined by accuracy of information.
Calculating Amount to Be Financed/Borrowed sample
teacher overhead and Financing Practice Problems
Answer Sheet provided.
• Complete Calculating Amount of Monthly Payment,
Total Finance Charge and Total Cost of Loan
worksheet.
• Discuss pros and cons of different interest rates and
terms of loan and the impact these have on a
person’s monthly budget.
• Brainstorm as a class ways a person could qualify for
lower rates of interest.
Calculating Amount of Monthly Payment, Total Finance
Charge and Total Cost of Loan Answer Key provided.
• Create an Excel spreadsheet budget (Creating a
Budget) that shows monthly income and fixed and
flexible expenses, as well as totals for each section.
Chart the findings using a pie chart—include labels
and percentages. Budget and Pie Chart Rubric
provided.
Scoring: A Rubric (provided) that rates the title, data
accuracy and organization, readability, data
Level of Bloom’s
Taxonomy
Knowledge
Knowledge
Knowledge
Comprehension
Evaluation
Analysis
Synthesis
Standards Assessed
Business Core
1.6 Information Technology
1.6.1 Applications
1.6.10 Telecommunications
2.0 Accounting & Finance
2.1.3 Cash Management
2.1.6 Ethics
2.2 Financial Analysis
2.2.1 Credit Analysis
2.2.4 Financial Responsibility
Language Arts 9/10
Reading Comprehension 2.6
Economics
12.5.3 Interest Rates & Relative
Significance
Business Core
1.6 Information Technology
1.6.1 Applications
1.6.2 Computer Operations
1.6.5 Information Resources
1.6.7 Problem Solving
2.2 Financial Analysis
2.2.1 Credit Analysis
2.2.4 Financial Responsibility
2.2.10 Technology
Language Arts 9/10
Reading Comprehension 2.1, 2.6
Listening Strategies 2.3
Writing Strategies 1.8
Business Core
1.1 Business Communications
1.1.1 Diversity
1.1.2 Effectiveness
1.1.6 Oral Communications
1.6 Information Technology
1.6.1 Applications
4 of 20 “Deals on Wheels” Car Loan Project - Revised 09/14/2004
Finance and Business Industry Sector Grant – Sierra College

findings.
Illustrate how budgets
influence the choices
one can make in
purchasing a vehicle
using credit.
Optional:
Identify the
requirements for
becoming a Loan
Officer/ Agent.
interpretation, neatness and attractiveness.
• Estimate money available for a monthly car payment
and calculate the highest dollar amount that could be
financed/borrowed.
• Using the Internet, research two vehicles student is
interested in purchasing, as well as current interest
rates and loan terms.
• Write a 5-paragraph essay describing how budgets
influence the choices one can make in purchasing a
car using credit. Include what vehicle was chosen to
purchase. One may choose to buy a car not using
credit and seek an alternative choice (use money in
savings account).
• Using both the budget and the information from the
two vehicles and loan packages researched; build a
case for the choice made.
Scoring: Budget Essay Rubric provided rates the clarity of
topic, feasibility of ideas, sentence structure and correct
usage of grammar.
• Interview a Loan Agent using the Loan Agent
Interview handout. Students should be prepared to
share their findings with the class.
• Create a job description for the position of a Loan
Officer/Agent. Loan Officer Job description Rubric
provided.
Scoring: Interview sheet is completely filled out. A Rubric
(provided) for the Job description includes ratings for
complete information, “realness,” neatness, spelling and
grammar.
Evaluation
Analysis
Comprehension
Synthesis
Analysis
Evaluation
Analysis
Evaluation
Knowledge
Application
Synthesis
1.6.2 Computer Operations
1.6.3 Document Processing
1.6.7 Problem Solving
2.2 Financial Analysis
2.2.1 Credit Analysis
2.2.4 Financial Responsibility
2.2.10 Technology
Language Arts 9/10
Writing Strategies 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 1.8
Writing Applications 2.3
Written/Oral 1.1-1.5
Reading 2.6
Language Arts 11/12
Writing Applications 2.3
Written/Oral 1.1-1.3
Economics
12.1.1 Economic Concepts Need for
Choices
Business Core
1.6 Information Technologies
1.6.1 Applications
1.6.2 Computer Operations
1.6.3 Document Processing
1.6.5 Information Resources
1.6.6 Presentation
2.0 Accounting & Finance
2.1.3 Cash Management
2.2 Financial Analysis
2.2.1 Credit Analysis
2.2.4 Financial Responsibility
2.2.10 Technology
Language Arts 9/10
Writing 1.3, 1.8, 2.3
Language Conventions 1.2, 1.3, 1.4
Business Core
1.1 Business Communications
1.1.1 Diversity
1.1.2 Effectiveness
1.1.6 Oral Communications
5 of 20 “Deals on Wheels” Car Loan Project - Revised 09/14/2004
Finance and Business Industry Sector Grant – Sierra College

Optional:
Identify and
demonstrate the
steps of obtaining a
vehicle loan and
qualifiers for the
lowest rates possible.
• Interview a Loan Agent of choice to find out the steps
in obtaining a vehicle loan. Loan Agent Interview
handout provided.
• In small groups, write a script for a role-play that
illustrates the steps in obtaining a vehicle loan,
current interest rates, what interest rates one could
currently qualify for, and how a person could qualify
for the lowest rate possible.
• Present the role-play to the class.
Scoring: Interview sheet is completely filled out. Mastery
for the Role Play Presentation will be determined by
depiction of situation and credibility of facts.
Knowledge
Comprehension
Application
Language Arts 9/10
Listening Strategies 1.8, 1.9, 2.3
Language Arts 11/12
Writing Strategies 1.1, 1.2, 1.5, 1.6
Writing Applications 2.1, 2.3
Economics
12.5.3
Business Core
1.1 Business Communications
1.1.1 Diversity
1.1.2 Effectiveness
1.1.4 Methods of Communication
1.1.5 Nonverbal Communication
1.1.6 Oral Communication
1.5 Employability Skills
1.5.5 Positive Attitude
1.5.6 Teamwork
6 of 20 “Deals on Wheels” Car Loan Project - Revised 09/14/2004
Finance and Business Industry Sector Grant – Sierra College

Lesson Plan
“Deals on Wheels!” Car Loan Project
A. Introduction: (About 5 minutes)
Address Students:
How many of you own your own car? First car or second car? Is this the car of your dreams?
Whether or not you own your own car, think for a minute, “What is your dream car?” Close your eyes
and picture yourself getting into the driver’s seat of your ideal car, putting the key in the ignition,
starting the car and driving down the street. But how can you afford the car of your dreams? How do
you go about getting this car? Job? Win the lottery? Mom and Dad give you the money? Take out a
loan? Well, how much will that cost you??? Do you have good credit? How do you get credit? And
once you get this car, how do you support it? These are all questions that we will be examining in this
lesson.
B. Body:
Topic Outline (About 5 minutes)
Address Students:
People borrow money or use credit to purchase something in the present that will be paid for with
future income. Borrowing increases the ability to purchase the things people want now, like a new
car! A person who is considered “credit worthy” is one who is trusted to borrow only what he or she
can repay. Before a person can make a big decision like buying and financing a new car, they must
first analyze their monthly income and expenses to figure out how much they can actually afford per
month or explore the option of buying the vehicle “outright” without financing (using savings).
The concept that “there is no such thing as a free lunch” means that there is a cost to every decision,
whether monetary or intrinsic. Good decisions require a clear understanding of alternatives. Students
must learn to make choices among alternatives in order to use their income or resources wisely.
In this lesson you will learn:
• How to calculate monthly car payments using different rates of interest.
• How to calculate the maximum amount that can be financed/borrowed given a preset
estimated/budgeted monthly payment.
• How limited resources cause people to make choices.
Teacher Activities (About 10 minutes)
1. Demonstrate how to figure the total vehicle cost including tax and license fees, trade-in value, and
down payment. Use Handout #1—Calculating Amount to be Financed/Borrowed Sample Teacher
Overhead (students should have student copy).
2. Discuss how the total amount to be financed (total cost of vehicle), different rates of interest, and
length of car loan determine your monthly car payments. Include in the discussion the fact that
students need to first determine how much they can afford per month towards a car as dictated by
their monthly budget (income minus existing expenses).
7 of 20 “Deals on Wheels” Car Loan Project - Revised 09/14/2004
Finance and Business Industry Sector Grant – Sierra College

3. Demonstrate how to use a Loan Calculator on the Internet (www.bankrate.com) to calculate
monthly car payments using various rates of interest and terms of loan.
Student Activities (About 30 minutes)
1. Have students complete Handout #2—Calculating Amount of Monthly Payment, Total Finance
Charge and Total Cost of Loan using regular calculators and a Loan Calculator from
www.bankrate.com.
2. Go over results as a class. (Show Handout #2—Calculating Amount of Monthly Payment, Total
Finance Charge and Total Cost of Loan Answer Key on overhead for students to quick-check
answers) Clear up any questions.
3. Discuss pros and cons of different interest rates and terms of loan and the impact these have on a
person’s monthly budget. Brainstorm ways a person could qualify for lower rates of interest.
4. Have students complete Handout #3—Creating a Budget. In this exercise students will 1)
research two vehicles they would like to purchase; 2) calculate the monthly payment, total finance
charge and total cost of loan for each of the vehicles; 3) create a spreadsheet in Excel that shows
their total monthly income and fixed and flexible expenses; 4) chart their findings in a pie chart,
including labels and percentages; 5) estimate what they could pay per month and calculate the
highest dollar amount they could finance/borrow for the vehicles they have researched; 6) analyze
their findings and write a 5-paragraph essay about: what vehicle they can afford to buy and why;
which loan would they would take and why; which features make this loan more appealing than
the others.
C. Closure: (About 5 minutes)
Address Students:
It is very important to make sure that you can afford your monthly car payment along with your living
expenses and other expected expenses such as registration, insurance, maintenance and gas. Don’t
forget to allow a buffer for unexpected expenses too.
Good credit habits begin early. Repaying loans and returning borrowed items in good condition
establish lifelong patterns of responsibility. Don't borrow what you can't repay - Be a responsible
borrower who repays as promised, showing you are worthy of getting credit in the future. Before you
borrow, compare your total payment obligations with income that you will have available to make
these payments.
Compare interest rates - Obtain rate information from multiple financial services firms to get the best
value for your money.
The concept that “there is no such thing as a free lunch” means that there is a cost to every decision,
whether monetary or intrinsic. Good decisions require a clear understanding of alternatives. Students
must learn to make choices among alternatives in order to use their income or resources wisely.
Are you able to buy your dream car? You should now have a better idea about financing and how
interest rates and the length of a loan help in determining which car you can afford to buy within a set
monthly payment amount.
Have fun in the driver's seat, whatever you are driving, but...drive safely!
8 of 20 “Deals on Wheels” Car Loan Project - Revised 09/14/2004
Finance and Business Industry Sector Grant – Sierra College

Find out more about credit, buying on credit, and how credit affects you and applies to the business
world around you by enrolling in a business class at your high school or taking a class at your local
community college.
Additional Teacher Comments:
We have just completed a project that has provided a little exposure to the world of finance and
business. Why did we do this? Because most adults work in the business environment and the most
popular college major is business. This project was designed to expose you to business topics and
concepts in preparation for your future. There are many advantages to further exploring finance and
business now while in high school. Here are some of them:
• To find out if you like the subject before committing to a career path.
• To gain skills to get a part-time or summer job.
• To prepare for a career after high school or to put yourself through college.
• To strengthen your college applications.
• To begin earning college credits while in high school.
Here’s how you may explore more about finance and business:
• Develop an educational plan with your counselor.
• Make the most of block or trimester scheduling and take business electives.
• Participate in ROP classes and/or internships.
• Take required classes in summer school to allow for more electives during the school year.
• Join business-related clubs or activities on campus.
• Investigate opportunities in your community, such as Junior Achievement, Scouting, or volunteer
work.
• Attend community college night or summer classes.
9 of 20 “Deals on Wheels” Car Loan Project - Revised 09/14/2004
Finance and Business Industry Sector Grant – Sierra College

Example 1
Calculating Amount to Be Financed/Borrowed
“Deals on Wheels!” Car Loan Project
Student Worksheet
Vehicle Make/Model
________________________________________
1. Price of Vehicle $
2. Tax (8% of price) +
3. License (2% of price) +
4. Vehicle Total Cost =
5. Vehicle Trade-in Value -
6. Down Payment -
7. Total Amount to Be Financed/Borrowed = $
Example 2
Vehicle Make/Model
________________________________________
1. Price of Vehicle $
2. Tax (8% of price) +
3. License (2% of price) +
4. Vehicle Total Cost =
5. Vehicle Trade-in Value -
6. Down Payment -
7. Total Amount to Be Financed/Borrowed = $
10 of 20 “Deals on Wheels” Car Loan Project - Revised 09/14/2004
Finance and Business Industry Sector Grant – Sierra College

Calculating Amount to be Financed/Borrowed
“Deals on Wheels!” Car Loan Project
Sample Teacher Overhead
Example 1
Vehicle Make/Model
2004 Chevy Corvette
1. Price of vehicle $ 52,500
2. Tax (8% of price) + 4,200
3. License (2% of price) + 1,050
4. Vehicle Total Cost = 57,750
5. Vehicle Trade-in Value - 0
6. Down Payment - 20,000
7. Amount to be Financed/Borrowed = $ 37,750
Example 2
Vehicle Make/Model
________________________________
1. Price of Vehicle $
2. Tax (8% of price) +
3. License (2% of price) +
4. Vehicle Total Cost =
5. Vehicle Trade-in Value -
6. Down Payment -
7. Total Amount to be Financed/Borrowed = $
11 of 20 “Deals on Wheels” Car Loan Project - Revised 09/14/2004
Finance and Business Industry Sector Grant – Sierra College

Calculating Amount of Monthly Payment,
Total Finance Charge and Total Cost of Loan
“Deals on Wheels!” Car Loan Project
Student Worksheet
• Calculate the monthly payments, total finance charges, and total cost of loan for each rate
of interest and length of loan.
• Use the Internet to locate a Loan Calculator at www.bankrate.com (the loan calculator will
not calculate at 0%--use a regular calculator).
• Fill in your answers in the chart below.
Amount to be financed $10,000
APR
Length of
Loan
36
months
0% 48
months
60
months
36
months
5% 48
months
60
months
36
months
7% 48
months
60
months
Amount of
Monthly
Payment
Total
Finance
Charge
Total Cost
of Loan
12 of 20 “Deals on Wheels” Car Loan Project - Revised 09/14/2004
Finance and Business Industry Sector Grant – Sierra College

Calculating Amount of Monthly Payment,
Total Finance Charge and Total Cost of Loan
“Deals on Wheels!” Car Loan Project
Answer Key
• Calculate the monthly payments, total finance charges, and total cost of loan for each rate
of interest and length of loan.
• Use the Internet to locate a Loan Calculator at www.bankrate.com (the loan calculator
will not calculate at 0%--use a regular calculator).
• Fill in your answers in the chart below.
Amount to be financed $10,000
APR
0%
5%
7%
Length of
Loan
Amount of
Monthly
Payment
Total
Finance
Charge
Total Cost of
Loan
36
months $277.78 $0 $10,000
48
months $208.33 $0 $10,000
60
months $166.67 $0 $10,000
36
months $299.71 $789.56 $10,789.56
48
months $230.29 $1,053.92 $11,053.92
60
months $188.71 $1,322.60 $11,322.60
36
months $308.77 $1,115.72 $11,115.72
48
months $239.46 $1,494.08 $11,494.08
60
months $198.01 $1,880.60 $11,880.60
13 of 20 “Deals on Wheels” Car Loan Project - Revised 09/14/2004
Finance and Business Industry Sector Grant – Sierra College

Creating A Budget
“Deals on Wheels!” Car Loan Project
Student Instructions
• Gather pricing information on two cars you may want to buy. Research
interest rates you would qualify for and length of the loan desired. You may
want to use the sites below for research:
http://www.autotrader.com
http://www.edmunds.com
http://www.bankrate.com
http://www.bankofamerica.com
• Calculate the monthly payment, total finance charge and total cost of loan
for each of the two vehicles.
• Create a spreadsheet in Excel that shows your monthly income and fixed
and flexible expenses. Total your monthly income and expenses.
• Chart your findings in a pie chart—include labels and percentages.
• Estimate what you could pay per month for a monthly car payment
depending on your budget results and calculate the highest dollar amount
you could finance/borrow for the two vehicles you have researched.
• When you have finished, analyze your findings. Write a 5-paragraph essay
about what vehicle you can afford to buy and at what price. Which loan
would you take and why? What features make this loan more appealing
than the others? Include in your essay how your new car payment impacts
your monthly budget and how limited resources cause people to make
choices.
14 of 20 “Deals on Wheels” Car Loan Project - Revised 09/14/2004
Finance and Business Industry Sector Grant – Sierra College

Financing Practice Problems
“Deals on Wheels!” Car Loan Project
Student Worksheet
Show work where applicable.
Use Loan Calculator to calculate monthly payments (www.bankrate.com).
1. Tara Reid, a mother of three, would like to trade-in her old Honda Civic in order to
purchase a Honda Accord. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) on the
Accord is $18,675. Tara would also like to purchase an upgraded CD player from the
dealership for $800. The dealership will also pay $1,200 for Tara’s trade-in. Tara has
good credit, so the Finance Department can offer her a 5% financing rate on a 4-year
term. Tara’s take-home pay is $30,000 a year. Her monthly expenses are about $2,500
a month. Can Tara afford this car?
Calculate the total cost of the vehicle (include tax and license).
Calculate Tara’s monthly payment.
2. Faith Hill has recognized that the Chevrolet Corvette Convertible is the car for her. The
total cost of the vehicle is $65,125—it is really loaded! Faith is able to put a $10,000
down payment towards the total purchase price. The dealership will also pay Faith
$3,000 for her old vehicle. The financing rate offered is 7% over 5 years. Faith’s takehome
pay is $50,000 a year. Her monthly expenses are about $3,000 a month. Can
Faith afford this car?
Calculate the total cost of the vehicle (include tax and license).
Calculate Faith’s monthly payment.
3. Ben Affleck would like to purchase a Chevrolet Trail Blazer 4WD. The price of the car is
listed at $28,350. The Finance Department has a limited offer financing rate of 0% for a
3-year term. Ben is able to take advantage of this because he has excellent credit. Ben
has no down payment or vehicle trade-in. Ben’s take-home pay is $10,000 a month. His
monthly expenses are about $5,000 a month. Can Ben afford this car?
Calculate the total cost of the vehicle (include tax and license).
Calculate Ben’s monthly payment.
15 of 20 “Deals on Wheels” Car Loan Project - Revised 09/14/2004
Finance and Business Industry Sector Grant – Sierra College

Financing Practice Problems
“Deals on Wheels!” Car Loan Project
Answer Key
Show work where applicable.
Use Loan Calculator to calculate monthly payments (www.bankrate.com).
1. Tara Reid, a mother of three, would like to trade-in her old Honda Civic in order to
purchase a Honda Accord. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) on the
Accord is $18,675. Tara would also like to purchase an upgraded CD player from the
dealership for $800. The dealership will also pay $1,200 for Tara’s trade-in. Tara has
good credit, so the Finance Department can offer her a 5% financing rate on a 4-year
term. Tara’s take-home pay is $30,000 a year. Her monthly expenses are about $2,500
a month. Can Tara afford this car?
Calculate the total cost of the vehicle (include tax and license). $21,422.50
Calculate Tara’s monthly payment. $465.72 per month
2. Faith Hill has recognized that the Chevrolet Corvette Convertible is the car for her. The
total cost of the vehicle is $65,125—it is really loaded! Faith is able to put a $10,000
down payment towards the total purchase price. The dealership will also pay Faith
$3,000 for her old vehicle. The financing rate offered is 7% over 5 years. Faith’s takehome
pay is $50,000 a year. Her monthly expenses are about $3,000 a month. Can
Faith afford this car?
Calculate the total cost of the vehicle (include tax and license). $71,637.50
Calculate Faith’s monthly payment. $1,161.14 per month
3. Ben Affleck would like to purchase a Chevrolet Trail Blazer 4WD. The price of the car is
listed at $28,350. The Finance Department has a limited offer financing rate of 0% for a
3-year term. Ben is able to take advantage of this because he has excellent credit. Ben
has no down payment or vehicle trade-in. Ben’s take-home pay is $10,000 a month. His
monthly expenses are about $5,000 a month. Can Ben afford this car?
Calculate the total cost of the vehicle (include tax and license). $31,185.00
Calculate Ben’s monthly payment. $866.25 per month
16 of 20 “Deals on Wheels” Car Loan Project - Revised 09/14/2004
Finance and Business Industry Sector Grant – Sierra College

Loan Agent Interview
“Deals on Wheels!” Car Loan Project
Student Worksheet
Interview a Loan Agent of your choice to gain more insight on the steps of obtaining a car loan, current interest
rates, what interest rates you would qualify for, and career information of a Loan Agent. Be prepared to share
your findings with the class.
Student Name
Date
Name of Loan Agent
Financial Institution
Questions:
1) What are your primary tasks?
2) What would you say is your most challenging task? Why?
3) What would you say is your most rewarding task? Why?
4) What are two skills that you recommend people have to become a Loan Agent?
5) What is your advice for someone who would like to become a Loan Agent?
6) For someone my age, what would be the steps to qualify for a car loan?
7) What are the current interest rates (a range is fine)?
8) What is the best loan package I could receive from your financial institution?
9) How could I qualify for a lower interest rate?
10) Is there a web address that you would recommend to educate students about financing a
car, current interest rates, or general financial information?
17 of 20 “Deals on Wheels” Car Loan Project - Revised 09/14/2004
Finance and Business Industry Sector Grant – Sierra College

Budget & Pie Chart Rubric
“Deals on Wheels!” Car Loan Project
Student Name:
CATEGORY 4 3 2 1
Title, Column
Headings, Totals
Data Table
Title, Column
Headings, Totals
are creative and
clearly relate to the
spreadsheet and
chart. They are
appropriately
placed on the
spreadsheet.
Data in the
spreadsheet is
complete, well
organized,
accurate, and easy
to read.
Title, Column
Headings, Totals
clearly relate to the
spreadsheet and
chart. They are
appropriately placed
on the spreadsheet.
Data in the
spreadsheet is
mostly complete,
organized, accurate,
and easy to read.
Title, Column
Headings and
Totals are
present.
Data in the
spreadsheet is
partially
complete,
accurate and
easy to read.
Title, Column
Headings and
Totals are not
present.
Data in the
spreadsheet is not
complete or
accurate and/or
cannot be read.
Total
Points
Type of Graph
Chosen
Chart fits the data
well and makes it
easy to interpret.
Chart is adequate
and does not distort
the data, but
interpretation of the
data is somewhat
difficult.
Chart distorts the Chart seriously
data somewhat distorts the data
and interpretation making
of the data is interpretation
somewhat almost impossible.
difficult.
Neatness and
Attractiveness
Exceptionally well
designed, neat,
and attractive.
Colors that go well
together are used
to make the chart
more readable.
Neat and relatively
attractive. A variety
of colors are used.
Chart is neat but
appears quite
plain with little
color distinction.
Chart is hard to
read with no color
distinction.
Total Points
Comments:
Rated By:
18 of 20 “Deals on Wheels” Car Loan Project - Revised 09/14/2004
Finance and Business Industry Sector Grant – Sierra College

Budget Essay Rubric
“Deals on Wheels!” Car Loan Project
Student Name:
CATEGORY 4 3 2 1
Focus on There is one clear, Main idea is clear, Main idea is The main idea is not
Topic
well-focused topic. but the supporting somewhat clear, clear. There is a
Main idea stands out information is but there is a need seemingly random
(Content) and is supported by general.
for more supporting collection of
detailed information.
information. information.
Total
Points
Support for
Topic
(Content)
Sequencing
(Organization)
Grammar,
Spelling,
Capitalization
& Punctuation
(Conventions)
Relevant, telling,
quality details give
the reader important
information that goes
beyond the obvious
or predictable.
Details are placed in
a logical order and
the way they are
presented effectively
keeps the interest of
the reader.
Writer makes no
errors. The paper is
exceptionally easy to
read.
Supporting details
and information are
relevant, but one
key issue or portion
of the storyline is
unsupported.
Details are placed
in a logical order,
but the way in
which they are
presented/
introduced
sometimes makes
the writing less
interesting.
Writer makes minor
errors that do not
distract the reader
from the content.
The paper is still
easy to read.
Supporting details
and information are
relevant, but
several key issues
or portions of the
storyline are
unsupported.
Some details are
not in a logical or
expected order,
and this distracts
the reader.
Writer makes
several errors that
distract the reader
from the content
and interrupt the
flow of the paper.
Supporting details
and information are
typically unclear or
not related to the
topic.
Many details are not
in a logical or
expected order.
There is little sense
that the writing is
organized.
Writer makes many
errors that distract the
reader from the
content and greatly
interrupt the flow of
the paper.
Total Points
Comments:
Rated By:
19 of 20 “Deals on Wheels” Car Loan Project - Revised 09/14/2004
Finance and Business Industry Sector Grant – Sierra College

Job Description for a Career in Finance Rubric
“Deals on Wheels!” Car Loan Project
Student Name:
CATEGORY 4 3 2 1
Requirements All of the required Almost all of the Some of the Little of the
content was required content required content required content
present.
was present. was present. was present.
Informative
Contains many
facts, figures,
and/or word
choices that make
the job description
exceptionally
interesting and
informative to read.
Contains some
facts, figures,
and/or word
choices that
make the job
description
interesting and
informative to
read.
Contains few
facts or figures
pertaining to the
job but is
marginally
interesting and
informative to
read.
Does not contain
facts or figures
that might make
the job
description
interesting or
informative to
read.
Total
Points
Grammar,
Spelling,
Capitalization &
Punctuation
(Conventions)
Writer makes no
errors. The paper
is exceptionally
easy to read.
Writer makes
minor errors
which do not
distract the
reader from the
content. The
paper is still easy
to read.
Writer makes
several errors
that distract the
reader from the
content and
interrupt the flow
of the paper.
Writer makes
many errors that
distract the
reader from the
content and
greatly interrupt
the flow of the
paper.
Total Points
Comments:
Rated By:
20 of 20 “Deals on Wheels” Car Loan Project - Revised 09/14/2004
Finance and Business Industry Sector Grant – Sierra College